University of Hartford's Hartt Gala Celebrates With Student Performances

Amy Ellis, aellis@courant.com

From left, Christine Pina, vice president for institutional advancement at the University of Hartford, with Ralph Zegarelli and Lucille Nickerson, chair of the board of regents for the University of Hartford.

From left, Christine Pina, vice president for institutional advancement at the University of Hartford, with Ralph Zegarelli and Lucille Nickerson, chair of the board of regents for the University of Hartford. (Amy Ellis, aellis@courant.com)

More than 250 gathered Saturday night in Hartford to celebrate The Hartt School

Student musicians provided the background music for the cocktail hour at the Hartt's Got Talent Gala held Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Hartford Marriott Downtown.

More than 250 gathered to celebrate, including the school's acting dean, T. Clark Saunders who talked with Java about what he thinks embodies The Hartt School.

"The talented students, talented both academically and in the arts, but also world class artist teachers that prepare our students for career ready," said Saunders.

Besides an auction, wine reception, seated dinner and an After-Glow party, the evening included jazz selections from the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and a scene from the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart musical "On Your Toes."

"It's three different divisions of our school working together, Dance, Theater and Instrumental Music," said Saunders.

Guests included Michael and Aimee Menapace; Rita Parisi, Hartt Board co-chair; Christine Pina, vice president for institutional advancement at the University of Hartford, Lucille Nickerson, chair of the board of regents for the University of Hartford and husband Ralph Zegarelli; Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and wife Cathy Malloy, executive director of the Greater Hartford Arts Council; Walter Harrison, University of Hartford president; and Rosy Kapur, gala chair, and husband Dinesh Kapur.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the arts at the University of Hartford, but also in the Greater Hartford landscape," said Pina. "It's an extraordinary opportunity to raise money for young people who are pursuing careers in the performing arts."

So Java wanted to know if Pina was musically inclined herself?

"I am," she said. "[I] sing and played the violin...But I also have a young child who is a student in the Community Division at the Hartt School who is studying the clarinet."

All proceeds from the evening benefit Hartt School scholarships, tuition assistance and educational programming.

Editors note: This story has been changed to reflect that Christine Pina played the violin.